Talks underway with rice-producing states for implementing 'Anna Bhagya' scheme: CM Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru, Jun 17: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said talks are underway with rice-producing states to procure the required quantity for his government's 'Anna Bhagya' scheme, which promises additional 5 kilograms of rice for BPL families, and a decision will be taken soon regarding the implementation.
He said, while Telangana has expressed its inability, Chhattisgarh is ready to supply 1.50 lakh metric tonne -- but the rate is a bit high, and the government will also be talking to neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.
"I spoke to Telangana Chief Minister day before yesterday, he got back yesterday after getting details. He said there is no availability of rice there. I have asked the Chief Secretary to speak to Andhra Pradesh. Chhattisgarh is ready to give 1.50 lakh metric tonne, but the rate is a bit high and transport cost is more," Siddaramaiah said.
Speaking to reporters here, the Chief Minister said he has convened a meeting of officials to discuss and decide on the further action.
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Responding to a question on a reported statement by BJP MLA B Y Vijayendra alleging that despite rice availability in Karnataka, the government was going to other states -- to get commission, the Chief Minister said: "Ask him (Vijayendra) to get the rice supply done if it is available in the state. Is the rice available in his mill?"
Karnataka is talking to rice producing states after the central government allegedly stalled the sale of wheat and rice to state governments under the Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic) (OMSSD), which prohibits the Food Corporation of India (FCI) from selling any additional rice to the state for its 'Anna Bhagya' scheme.
The Chief Minister and his cabinet ministers have alleged that the Centre discontinued the sale of wheat and rice under OMSS(D) for state governments, a day after the FCI that has large quantity of stocks had agreed to provide 2,08,425.750 metric tonne of rice to Karnataka at a rate of Rs 34 per kg.
Siddaramaiah and his ministers have accused the BJP-led government at the Centre of conspiring to "fail" the Congress administration's poll guarantee by ensuring the state doesn't get the required amount of rice for rolling out the scheme from July 1, as promised.
Accusing the Centre of showing "stepmotherly attitude" towards Karnataka, Food and Civil Supplies Minister K H Muniyappa today said they are doing politics in the supply of rice, which will be distributed among the poor, despite the state willing to purchase it at the cost fixed by the dispensation.
"They have large quantities of rice stock. They are ready to sell it through open tender, but not ready to supply it to the state government for distribution among the poor, and are doing politics on the issue," he said.
Stating that the Karnataka government is doing all that is possible to arrange for rice to give it to the poor as guaranteed, the Minister said: "We are discussing with Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and other places. Our officials have gone there, once they come, I will get the report by this evening. By Monday, we will let you (media) know as to when rice can be supplied."
"It may take time for transportation from other states. We had announced a date based on FCI assuring us to supply rice from the stock here. They have gone back on that assurance now," he said. Once the state government makes arrangements for the required 2,28,000 metric tonne of rice, it will be distributed to the beneficiaries.
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Train to Kashmir: 22-bogie train's trial run successful on Katra-Srinagar line
Jammu: A 22-bogie train chugged between Katra and Srinagar railway stations on Sunday, officials said, marking the first successful trial run on the newly completed line to connect Kashmir with the rest of the country via rail.
The train, comprising 18 AC coaches, two luggage carriers and two engines, left the Katra railway station at around 8 am, successfully reaching its destination within four hours under the watchful eyes of the railway authorities, the officials said.
This was the first trial run between Katra and Srinagar, and came within six days after the Commissioner of Railway Safety (Northern Circle) Dinesh Chand Deshwal authorised the opening of the newly constructed Broad Gauge line.
He had given the authorisation for the start of public carriage of goods and passenger traffic in a seven-page letter to the ministry and railway authorities, based on his detailed inspection of the track on January 7 and 8.
The CRS referred to his inspection of the newly constructed BG line between the Katra and Reasi section by a motor trolley and on foot, followed by a speed trial on the entire section from Katra to Banihal.
He had then authorised regular opening of the section for passengers and freight traffic at a maximum permissible speed of 85 Kmph on the main line and 15 Kmph on turnout.
The work on the dream project to link Kashmir by train was started in 1997 and it missed several deadlines given geological, topographical and meteorological challenges.
Out of the total 272 km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, 209 km was commissioned in phases with the first phase of the 118 km Qazigund-Baramulla section commissioned in October 2009, followed by 18 km Banihal-Qazigund in June 2013, 25 km Udhampur-Katra in July 2014 and 48.1 km long Banihal-Sangaldan stretch in February, last year.
The work on the 46-km Sangaldan-Reasi section was also completed in June last year, leaving a total of 17 km stretch between Reasi and Katra. And this section was finally completed in December 2024 as announced by the Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
On January 4, a successful trial run of an electric train was successfully conducted on the Katra-Banihal section. The railways has conducted six trials over the past month on various segments of the track, including the two major milestones of the Anji Khad and Chenab bridges.
Katra-Srinagar Rail Link: First 18-Coach Train Completes Trial Run Successfully pic.twitter.com/p68axcUClX
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